Ex-Norwegian and the Jean Marie open for Mother Father, from Nashville, Tomorrow Night at Churchill's

We've written about Ex-Norwegianalot lately, so suffice it to say we like their updated version of classic power-pop a la Big Star and company. The Jean Marie, too, remains a local favorite, for good reason. Although they describe themselves on their MySpace page as "garage/rock/soul," live I've thought that often translates into a falling-apart punky funk. Talking Heads fans will be pleased.

Those two bands alone are a good enough reason to check out a low-key gig tomorrow night at Churchill's, but the surprise treat if you go is an up-and-coming band from Nashville called Mother Father.

Sounding miles and eons away from the rootsy sounds that usually come

from their hometown, this quartet instead nurses a serious Anglophilia.

Its sound is a smorgasbord of much that is angular and 1980s Brit.

There are some of Depeche Mode's synth stabs, and a lot of Echo and the

Bunnymen's introspective, sweeping choruses. The production is nice and

atmospheric, too.

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